Boone Jenner wasn't drafted to be a goal scorer.
The Columbus Blue Jackets chose Jenner 37th overall in 2011, a few months after the two-way center totaled 25 goals in his draft season - or 32 fewer than OHL leading goal scorer, Tyler Toffoli.
Fast forward almost five seasons, and Jenner, 22, has joined Rick Nash, Geoff Sanderson, Ryan Johansen, and Nick Foligno in becoming just the fifth player in Blue Jackets' history to record 30 or more goals in a single season.
His milestone marker on Saturday versus the Carolina Hurricanes moves him into the upper-echelon of NHL scorers (only 12 have more this season). Jenner's not just ahead of Toffoli, but out-pacing Brandon Saad, who signed for $36 million this summer with expectations to hit 30 with regularity.
So if for a moment, he might live to regret the bridge contract he signed on trade deadline day - even if more than 50 percent of his production has come this season.
But while the eight goals and 13 points he's compiled since signing the deal might have helped him squeeze a few extra dollars in negotiations, leading the team in goal scoring in a contract season isn't enough to cash in restricted free agency or arbitration.
Mike Hoffman knows that.
